Packington Church of England Primary School has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on June 4, 2024. The school maintains high expectations for all its pupils, fostering an environment where students feel happy, safe, and eager to learn. The atmosphere is calm, allowing pupils to concentrate effectively on their studies. Positive behavior is evident, with students showing respect for one another and for staff. The school promotes a culture of kindness, as reflected in the pupils' understanding of their golden rule to treat others as they wish to be treated.
Leadership opportunities are available for pupils, including roles as school councillors and sports leaders. Many students participate in various clubs that enhance their sporting and musical talents. The school organizes an extensive range of visits, including trips to the Houses of Parliament and residential outings to coastal areas, enriching the educational experience.
Parents and carers express strong support for the school, with many sharing positive feedback about their children's experiences. The commitment to ensuring that pupils learn to read is a priority, with phonics instruction starting in the early years. Daily phonics lessons are effectively delivered, and staff receive training to implement the school's phonics program consistently. Books are carefully matched to the phonics being taught, and additional support is provided to pupils who may be falling behind, ensuring they catch up and develop a love for reading.
The curriculum is ambitious and well-structured, catering for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. The school identifies key knowledge that pupils need to learn and the sequence in which it should be taught. While pupils generally learn well, there are areas where they could deepen their understanding and develop skills more effectively. Some subjects do not provide sufficient challenge, which can hinder the development of knowledge and skills.
Pupils with special educational needs are fully included in the curriculum, receiving tailored support from both the school and external agencies. Most of these pupils achieve well, thanks to adapted teaching methods that allow them to access the same learning opportunities as their peers. The school effectively checks pupils' learning in core subjects like mathematics, reading, and writing, identifying gaps in knowledge and informing future learning steps. However, assessment practices in foundation subjects need improvement to ensure that gaps in knowledge are identified more precisely.
The school sets high behavioral expectations, which pupils meet consistently. They understand and appreciate the fairness of school rules and embody the values of perseverance, courage, honesty, hope, kindness, and forgiveness in their daily interactions. Beyond the curriculum, pupils are provided with opportunities to learn about healthy relationships, personal safety, and charity work, as well as exploring their future ambitions through events like science fairs.
Staff members take pride in their work at the school, feeling supported by leadership in terms of their well-being and professional development. Governors are well-informed and actively hold school leaders accountable while supporting improvement efforts. The school’s safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils.
To enhance its performance, the school needs to sharpen assessment practices in foundation subjects and ensure that all pupils are appropriately challenged across the curriculum. By addressing these areas, Packington Church of England Primary School can continue to build on its strengths and provide an excellent educational experience for all its students.